Organizers and Sponsors
The Social Data Science Center
Effectively, ethically, and efficiently creating high quality information products (datasets, visualizations, models, etc.) about human social activity is critical for progress in many domains, including health, education, climate, entertainment, policy making, and government.
Addressing the unique challenges of working with social and behavioral data at ever increasing scales, broader scope, and for novel purposes can only be effectively done by a multidisciplinary community of researchers who are able to draw on and contribute to basic research in a variety of domains.
The Social Data Science Center (SoDa) at the University of Maryland leverages UMD’s substantial strengths in survey methods, measurement, information management, visualization, and analytics to conduct research, provide education, and work with partners to advance social data science and measurement. The organizational sponsors of the SoDa Center are the College of Information (INFO) and the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS).
The Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland
The Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) will be a collaborative hub for AI, supporting faculty research, offering innovative and experiential learning opportunities, and focusing on responsible and ethical AI technology to advance the public good across industry, government and society.
The University of Maryland and the state of Maryland have long maintained a steadfast commitment to responsible advancement of AI technology. The new institute builds upon the university’s existing AI expertise, research and centers, including the Center for Machine Learning, the National Science Foundation-funded Institute for Trustworthy AI in Law & Society (TRAILS), the Value-Centered AI Initiative and the Social Data Science Center. Centers like these will be an instrumental part of AIM, as will faculty members across campus who teach and study AI.
The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR)
Founded in 1947, the American Association for Public Opinion Research is the leading association of public opinion and survey research professionals.
The AAPOR community includes producers and users of survey data from a variety of disciplines. Our members span a range of interests including election polling, market research, statistics, research methodology, health-related data collection and education.
Membership in AAPOR is all about opportunity – the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of leaders in the survey and public opinion research field, the opportunity to network and exchange knowledge and the opportunity to improve how survey research is conducted and disseminated.
The Washington-Baltimore Chapter of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (DC-AAPOR)
DC-AAPOR, the DC local chapter of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), is an active community of researchers, academics, and other professionals engaged in the methods, applications, and findings of public opinion research and survey methodology. DC-AAPOR provides an exciting forum for discussion and debate about methodological, ethical, and substantive issues related to a range of research topics.
The American Statistical Association (ASA)
The American Statistical Association is the world’s largest community of statisticians, the “Big Tent for Statistics.” It is the second-oldest, continuously operating professional association in the country. Since it was founded in Boston in 1839, the ASA has supported excellence in the development, application, and dissemination of statistical science. Our members serve in industry, government, and academia in more than 90 countries, advancing research and promoting sound statistical practice to inform public policy and improve human welfare.
Westat
Dedicated to improving lives through research, Westat offers innovative professional services to help clients improve outcomes in education, health and social policy.
Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, and social and economic policy. Our approach is rooted in rigorous statistical and data science methods with an unflagging dedication to improving lives—we approach each project with investigative curiosity, data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology. These attributes, unchanged since our establishment in 1963, combined with our innovative thinking, transparency, and adaptability, are why clients find exceptional value in our work.
The College of Information (INFO)
The University of Maryland (UMD) College of Information (INFO) is a top-10 nationally ranked information science college, committed to utilizing information and technology for good – to connect communities, empower individuals, and create opportunities. At INFO, faculty, staff, students, and partners are expanding the frontiers of how information and technology are accessed and used in a rapidly evolving world. We are combining principles of information science with cutting-edge technology to foster access to information, improve information interfaces, and expand how information is used in an evolving world. The College provides three undergraduate degrees, seven masters degrees, and a doctoral program.
